Steve Jobs, the innovative co-founder of Apple who transformed personal use of technology as well as entire industries with products such as the iPod, iPad, iPhone, Macintosh computer and the iTunes music store, died Wednesday. He was 56.
Jobs abruptly stepped down from his position as CEO of Apple in August because of health concerns. He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.
“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being,” read a statement on Apple’s website. “Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor.”
Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, a former Apple board member, called Jobs the best CEO of the past 50 years — perhaps 100 years.